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Cruises to Moreton Island

Australia

Moreton Island

So much to see, it won’t all fit on this page

Standing proud as one of the world’s largest sand islands, Moreton Island is one of mother nature’s greatest achievements and remains today much the same as thousands of years ago.

Moreton Island was put on the map after James Cook visited in 1770, naming the island’s headland "Cape Morton". (Today’s spelling came about through a later clerical error which stuck.) Before this though, there is evidence that Aboriginal people occupied the island for over 2000 years. Settlement began in 1848 and after a series of shipwrecks in the area, Cape Moreton Light — Queensland’s oldest lighthouse — was built nine years later. Four more lighthouses followed and during World War II, defence buildings were constructed with up to 900 troops stationed on the island.

After this, besides a decade of whaling on the western side of the island between 1952 and 1962 and some years of small scale sand mining, the island has been devoted to a leisurely existence with its population comprised of mostly holiday makers, oyster farmers and an abundance of land and marine life. Where the whaling station once was, you can now find Tangalooma Island Resort — a family owned resort known around the world for its one-of-a-kind wild dolphin feeding program spanning over 30 years.

At A Glance

Population

298 (2011 census)

Language

English

Government

Democratic

Currency

Australian Dollar

What To See

Wild dolphin feeding

One of Moreton Island’s biggest drawcards is its unique wild dolphin
feeding program. Available only on the Wild Dolphin Discovery Shore
Tour, this presents one of life’s rare opportunities to get in the water and
witness wild dolphins up close.

Adventure activities

From tobogganing down one of the world’s highest sand dunes and
parasailing high above the water, to quad biking forest trails and
snorkelling the island’s famous shipwrecks, if it’s adventure you want you
will find it with ease.

CAPE MORETON COPPER FLIGHT

Fly along the eastern coastline to Cape Moreton Light, Queensland’s
oldest lighthouse, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Island, resort and
a range of marine species.

More About Moreton Island

DOCKING

Your ship will anchor offshore and tender boats will provide
a regular service to and from the Tangalooma Resort Jetty
throughout the day.

GETTING AROUND

No taxis or public transport is available on Moreton Island.
Most points of interest are within walking distance or get
involved in one of our Shore Tours to see sights further afield.

DINING

Visit the pop up food and beverage stalls or relax at the
local coffee shop. For a special meal, try out the resort’s
restaurant, Fire and Stone Asian Fusion Restaurant.

Quarantine authorities do not generally allow food such as
fruit and vegetables, dairy and meat products and sandwiches
to be taken off the ship however commercially packaged
confectionery, chips and bottled drinking water are allowed
subject to inspection.

SHOPPING

Check out the resort shop for local souvenirs.

CLIMATE

Moreton Island enjoys a year-round mild climate. Summer can
get quite hot with average temperatures between 21 and 29 with
some beautifully refreshing sea breezes. Sea temperatures range
from around 26 to 28 degrees in the warmer months and 20 to 22
degrees during the cooler months.

CREDIT CARDS & ATMS

Major credit and charge cards are accepted at some places on
the island. Automatic teller machines can be found in the resort
centre. We recommend that you take cash and/or card ashore.

COMMUNICATION

Public telephones and limited internet access is available at
the resort centre.

SHORE TOURS

There are a range of Shore Tours available so you can get the
most out of your day on Moreton Island. These can be booked
onboard at the Shore Tours desk and are subject to availability.
Passengers are required to meet at a specific location for each
tour departure. Please refer to your ticket and Pacific Daily for
the correct time and place.

This was my first cruise and I wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by the choice of activities onboard. I loved the room we stayed in and I loved the friendly staff. It think I have just found my perfect type of holiday and I will return (with friends!).

Helen,
First Time Cruiser,

Did You Know?

Between 1963 and 1984, the Queensland
Government deliberately sunk 15 ships on the
eastern side of Moreton Bay to create the
Tangalooma Wrecks – a safe harbour for small
watercraft in the area. Today, more than 200
species of marine life call the area home.